Germany raises growth forecast

Frankfurt: The Bundesbank raised its forecasts for German growth, saying Europe’s largest economy has entered a broad and prolonged upswing.

Gross domestic product will expand 3.1% this year and 1.8% in 2012, the Frankfurt-based central bank said in its bi-annual economic outlook.

That compares with a February prediction by then Bundesbank president Axel Weber of 2.5% growth for this year and a December forecast of 1.5% for 2012.